My Diabetes Misconception

One of the biggest misconceptions I've had about diabetes before my diagnosis was not eating at all when my glucose was high. I started testing 3 times a day ,12 days before diagnosis. I suspected I had diabetes and most likely have had it for aleast a year. I automatically gave up sugar and starchy foods but still had outrageous glucose readings. The numbers were staggering. So I would not eat the next meal but my readings remained high. Once I was officially diagnosed I started participating on the ADA website and learned so much. All the Biology or Anatomy & Physiology I've taken in High School & College were useless. I researched any advice given to verify the validity of it.

The liver dump and Dawn Phenomon were interesting concepts but not as far fetched as you would think. The liver is a vital organ that has multiple functions.

"This organ plays a major role in metabolism and has a number of functions in the body, including glycogen storage, decomposition of red blood cells, plasma protein synthesis, hormone production, and detoxification. It lies below the diaphragm in the abdominal-pelvic region of the abdomen. It produces bile, an alkaline compound which aids in digestion via the emulsification of lipids. The liver's highly specialized tissues regulate a wide variety of high-volume biochemical reactions, including the synthesis and breakdown of small and complex molecules, many of which are necessary for normal vital functions."  ( quote taken from Wikipedia)

Even though the Pancreas produces the Peptide Hormone Insulin, the liver plays It's part also in the storage of glycogen.

Glucose and Glycogen is an energy source for the cells and organs. Even during the night our bodies need an energy source to function. Glycogen is released into the blood from the liver. Insulin is secreted from the pancrease . But with inadequate insulin or insulin resistance the body cannot use the glucose.

So skipping a meal or extreme dieting can be detrimental to a diabetic because the liver will still release glucose to provide energy to the cells, if inadequate food is taken in.

Another misconception I learned the hard way, not everything with the label sugarfree is good for a diabetic because of large amounts of carbohydrates. How carbohydrates affect me might be different for someone else. Some people with a Type 2 diagnosis might be able to eat more carbohydrates than others. Unfortunately my carbohydrates need to be kept at a minimum to maintain normal glucose.

My biggest misconception was because I didn't fall into the obese category I didn't need to worry. Yes I was overweight but not obese. And yes I do have alot of relatives with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes on my Mom's side. But most are obese.

Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight won't change my diagnosis. I will still have type 2 diabetes. It might put me in better control of the diabetes and keep me off insulin but it will always be lurking.